About this recipe
These air fryer tortilla chips are the crispy, crunchy snack you didn’t know you could make at home—and in less than 10 minutes! This recipe is a healthier twist on the classic, using just a light coat of oil and your air fryer. No deep frying needed.
They’re perfect for salsa, guacamole, or turning into nachos and chilaquiles. I even use them to top my sopa de milpa or vegan tortilla soup. These homemade tortilla chips have been a total game changer in my kitchen.
Why I love this recipe
- Crispy + light: They turn out perfectly golden and crunchy without all the extra oil.
- Super fast: Ready in under 10 minutes.
- Customizable: Season with chili powder, lime juice, cinnamon sugar—you name it.
- Better than store-bought: Fresher, crunchier, and you know exactly what’s in them.
Ingredient notes
- Corn tortillas: Choose fresh, pliable ones made only with masa harina, water, and lime. Avoid tortillas with added fats or preservatives.
- Oil: I like avocado oil spray, but olive or safflower oil works too. Avoid coconut oil—it changes the flavor.
- Salt: Kosher salt or sea salt is best.
Corn tortilla ingredients. Don’t forget to choose the best corn tortillas you can find and read the labels; some may contain additional fats, dough conditioners, or other ingredients.
Tortillas should only have masa harina, water, and a trace of lime.
How to make tortilla chips in the oven air fryer?
- Cut your tortillas in eighths, use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter.
- Lightly spray the tortilla pieces with oil and season with salt.
- Air fry at 400ºF for 5 minutes; shake the basket or baking sheet. Turn with kitchen tongs The pieces that need to be turned.
- Air Fry for 3 more minutes.
How to make tortilla chips in an over-the-counter air fryer?
- First, preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
- Cut corn tortillas into triangle shapes and lightly brush them with olive oil.
- Next, add the tortilla triangles to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the chips are crispy and golden brown.
- You may need to shake the basket every few minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Once done, remove the chips from the air fryer and sprinkle them with a pinch of salt. Serve with your favorite dip or salsa. Enjoy!
Tips for making the best homemade tortilla chips
- Home Cook to Home Cook Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Work in batches for even cooking.
- Brush, then cut. If you’re not using spray oil, brushing the whole tortilla first makes things easier.
- Fresh is best. These chips taste best right after they cool—but they’ll last up to 3 days stored in an airtight container.
- Want restaurant-style flavor? Add a tiny pinch of garlic powder or a squeeze of lime after cooking.
Frequently asked questions
How To Make Tortilla Chips In An Air Fryer
These crispy and golden air fryer tortilla chips are Mexican-approved and so easy to make. They’re the healthier, homemade version of traditional fried chips—lightly coated in oil, air fried to perfection, and ready in under 10 minutes. Perfect for your favorite salsa, guacamole, or as a crunchy topper for soups and salads.
Equipment
- Airfryer
Ingredients
- 10 Tortillas
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil I use cooking spray.
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
In a basket-style air fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Cut your tortillas into 6–8 triangle wedges.
- Spray or brush lightly with oil and season with salt.
- Cook for 5 minutes, then shake the basket or flip pieces with tongs.
- Cook 2–3 minutes more until golden and crispy.
In an oven-style air fryer:
- Preheat to 350°F.
- Place oiled and salted tortilla wedges in a single layer.
- Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Remove and sprinkle with salt or seasoning of choice.
Notes
- What can I use instead of cooking spray? A pastry brush would work great here. If you are brushing the oil to the corn tortilla, oil first and then cut. It will be easier.
- How can I store them? After they have cooled down, store them in an airtight container in a dark, cool place.
- How long will they last? They last up to 3 days in the pantry. But they are so easy to make that I recommend making them every time you crave some chips and salsa.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 953kcalCarbohydrates: 148gProtein: 25gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gSodium: 4534mgPotassium: 376mgFiber: 11gSugar: 11gCalcium: 439mgIron: 11mg
information
Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe?Tag @piloncilloyvainilla on Instagram and hashtag it #alecooks so we can all see your creations.
Soy Ale Graf, mexicana en Texas y la creadora de AleCooks y Piloncillo&Vainilla, donde comparto recetas fáciles, deliciosas y para toda la familia — algunas mexicanas, en su mayoría basadas en plantas — pensadas para disfrutarse todo el día, todos los días. Con una licenciatura en Historia del Arte y una Certificación como Chef Profesional en Cocina Basada en Plantas, llevo más de una década creando contenido donde se unen mis dos pasiones: la comida y el storytelling.
Mi enfoque está en recetas que reúnen a las personas alrededor de la mesa, haciendo de cada comida un momento sencillo, delicioso y significativo. También soy autora de Yo Cocino Latino, y mis recetas han sido destacadas en varias revistas y publicaciones en línea.
¡Sígueme en mis redes sociales para inspiración diaria, tips y recetas deliciosas! Y si alguna vez pruebas una de mis recetas — o tienes una receta familiar favorita — ¡me encantaría saberlo! Mándame un DM en Instagram y hablemos de comida. 🍽️✨
Mi enfoque está en recetas que reúnen a las personas alrededor de la mesa, haciendo de cada comida un momento sencillo, delicioso y significativo. También soy autora de Yo Cocino Latino, y mis recetas han sido destacadas en varias revistas y publicaciones en línea.
¡Sígueme en mis redes sociales para inspiración diaria, tips y recetas deliciosas! Y si alguna vez pruebas una de mis recetas — o tienes una receta familiar favorita — ¡me encantaría saberlo! Mándame un DM en Instagram y hablemos de comida. 🍽️✨
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